Chapter 2
61%
“Sorry,” I said, awkwardly. “I didn’t mean it. But, I don’t know, I felt like I’ve known you forever…and the kiss felt like a muscle memory.”
I paused, looking at Scott with a forced smile, trying to mask how unsettled I felt. It was crazy, right? Pretending that I didn’t know the truth, that I hadn’t seen it all coming. Before Scott could answer, Amber, of course, spoke up, cutting through the tension. “Sis,” she said, raising an eyebrow, “you’re being indifferent. Are you trying to steal my fiancé?” Everyone laughed, even my parents, who didn’t seem to notice how much that stung. I could feel my heart drop into my stomach as Amber’s words hit me, but then, of course, she added with a sarcastic grin, “Just kidding, anyway. Let’s not let this happen again, sister, or we might have to fight.”
My parents chimed in, too, their voices laced with laughter. “Stop being so flirty, Jasmine,” Dad said, shaking his head, while Mom just shot me a smile that barely masked her disapproval. No one even bothered to defend me–not even Scott.
“You’re embarrassing me,” Thomas even whispered to me. “What was that? I’m your husband.”
“Really? Are you?” I stared at him. “Is that the truth?”
“What are you saying, Jasmine?” He asked, but I ignored him. I was done with all the lies. The rest of the day went by in a blur, all smiles and false excitement, with Amber fussing over how I looked in the gown. I played along, letting them pretend everything was fine, but the truth was, I couldn’t focus on anything but the gnawing feeling that had been building inside me. They were all so happy, so carefree, and I–well, I was about to lose everything. When I finally excused myself to head back to my room, I did it with the excuse of needing to check for my things.
But, deep down, I knew. I knew I had to go. I wasn’t just going to stay here and pretend anymore.
But when I got to my room and started to look around, everything was gone. The boxes I had packed–everything–was gone, like they knew I was going to come looking for it. Still, I searched. I had to know.
And then, I found it.
It was hidden inside a shelf. A book, wedged between other things, and there it was–a photo of Scott and me. We were kissing, all tangled up with each other. It wasn’t just a photo. It was a bookmark, carefully tucked inside the pages, like some twisted keepsake. This is proof. I need this… to ruin their wedding.
The next day, I went to the doctor to abort the baby. There was no way I’d let this baby be
born in a world full of lies.
Afterward, I stepped out of the clinic, and then remembered my best friend Alice, so I called
her.
“larmino?” The union on the other and was curnricod hut it
Chapter 2
19:20 H., 18 ADT OLD
her.
ས.61%
“Jasmine?” The voice on the other end was surprised, but it was the same voice I hadn’t heard in years. “You remember me now? Oh, god. They didn’t want you near me so I had no way to tell the truth to you.”
“Alice,” I said, my voice soft. “Please don’t tell anyone that I remember now. But can you help me? I need to leave. I want to take that project you were talking about before. I’m ready now.”
There was a pause, but Alice didn’t hesitate. “Of course. You’ll leave in three days.”
10:00 PM. 18 Ap
1
Chapter 3
Three days. That’s all I had to fake it.
I played my part, smiled when I had to, laughed when expected–but Amber made it unbearable. She clung to Scott, kissing him, whispering things in his ear as if I wasn’t standing right there. It should’ve hurt. It didn’t. I felt nothing.
The only thing I wanted was to leave.
Thomas noticed. He pulled me aside, his grip firm on my wrist.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” I said flatly.
His jaw clenched. “Is this because of Scott?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
He scoffed. “Don’t play dumb. You like him, don’t you?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I’m your husband, Jasmine.”
I blinked, then let out a breathy laugh. “You’re being ridiculous.”
His eyes darkened, but before he could say more, I let my expression crumble, forcing a few tears to slip down my cheek. “I’m just… confused,” I whispered. “My memories are still blurry. Everything feels so strange.”
Thomas‘ anger wavered. His hands cupped my face, his thumb brushing against my skin in an attempt to comfort me. I almost gagged.
Later, I stood on the balcony, the cold night air doing nothing to cool the simmering rage inside me. Below, the guests laughed and drank, celebrating Amber and Scott’s upcoming wedding like it was the grandest love story ever told. A lie. A sickening, cruel lie.
I heard the footsteps before I saw him. Scott.
I turned, my lips curling into something almost sweet.
He leaned against the railing, eyes studying me. “Didn’t think I’d find you out here”
I tilted my head, pretending to search for something in his face. It’s strange,” I murmured “Every time I see you, I feel like… I know you.”
Scott stiffened.
I took a slow step forward, letting my fingers lightly graze the railing. It’s like there’s something I should remember…”
My gaze flicked up to meet his. “But I can’t.”
His throat bobbed, “Jasmine…”
I bit my lip, lowering my lashes. “You know, I’ve been trying to figure out why everyone as so carefully around me.”
Another step, Closer. “Like there’s something they don’t want me to remember”
Scott’s fingers twitched. His eyes roamed over my face, and I knew that look. He wa
tammen
61%
1920 FTI, T8 Apr
tempted.
I reached up, fingers lightly brushing over his tie. “You always seem to be watching me.” I let my voice drop into a whisper. “Why is that?”
Scott’s breath hitched. “I-”
I tilted my head, my lips just inches from his ear. “You want me to remember, don’t you?”
He was trapped.
I placed a hand on his chest, pressing just lightly. “Maybe you can help me,” I murmured. Scott swallowed hard, his hands gripping my waist before he could even think. Gotcha.
His lips crashed onto mine, desperate, hungry. I let him.
Just enough to ruin him.
The door burst open.
Amber.
A shriek filled the air, piercing, furious.
“You bitch!”
Her hands yanked at my hair, pulling hard enough to sting.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she screamed, shaking me.
I stumbled back, wrenching myself free. “Scott was the one who kissed me!
Scott barely hesitated before throwing me under the bus.
“She was seducing me.” His tone was smooth, effortless in its betrayal. Slap.
My mother’s hand struck my cheek before I could react.
“You’re disgusting,” she spat. “Flirting with another woman’s fiancé. With your sister’s fiancé.”
I laughed. A sharp, hollow sound. “My sister’s fiance?” I repeated, touching my burning cheek. “Isn’t that funny?”
Thomas was there now, watching, saying nothing.
I turned to him. “Well?” I challenged. “Aren’t you going to say something?”
He exhaled sharply. “You need to stop this, Jasmine.”
“Stop what?” I shot back. “Defending myself? Fighting back? Amber ruined my life, but somehow I’m the villain?”
Thomas‘ eyes flickered with something unreadable.
On my way out, his voice followed me. “Where are you going?”
I whirled around, my patience snapping. “Why do you care?”
“Because you’re ruining Amber’s wedding!” he shouted.
My Husband is a Fake One
13.20 ΓΙ, ΤΟ ΑΡΙ
Three days. That’s all I had to fake it.
ས ཁྲུ་ 61%
I played my part, smiled when I had to, laughed when expected–but Amber made it unbearable. She clung to Scott, kissing him, whispering things in his ear as if I wasn’t standing right there. It should’ve hurt. It didn’t. I felt nothing.
The only thing I wanted was to leave.
Thomas noticed. He pulled me aside, his grip firm on my wrist.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” I said flatly.
His jaw clenched. “Is this because of Scott?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
He scoffed. “Don’t play dumb. You like him, don’t you?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I’m your husband, Jasmine.”
I blinked, then let out a breathy laugh. “You’re being ridiculous.”
His eyes darkened, but before he could say more, I let my expression crumble, forcing a few tears to slip down my cheek. “I’m just… confused,” I whispered. “My memories are still blurry. Everything feels so strange.”
Thomas‘ anger wavered. His hands cupped my face, his thumb brushing against my skin in an attempt to comfort me. I almost gagged.
Later, I stood on the balcony, the cold night air doing nothing to cool the simmering rage inside me. Below, the guests laughed and drank, celebrating Amber and Scott’s upcoming wedding like it was the grandest love story ever told. A lie. A sickening, cruel lie.
I heard the footsteps before I saw him. Scott.
I turned, my lips curling into something almost sweet.
He leaned against the railing, eyes studying me. “Didn’t think I’d find you out here.”
I tilted my head, pretending to search for something in his face. “It’s strange,” I murmured. “Every time I see you, I feel like… I know you.”
Scott stiffened.
I took a slow step forward, letting my fingers lightly graze the railing. “It’s like there’s something I should remember…”
My gaze flicked up to meet his. “But I can’t.”
His throat bobbed. “Jasmine…”
I bit my lip, lowering my lashes. “You know, I’ve been trying to figure out why everyone acts so carefully around me.”
Another step. Closer. “Like there’s something they don’t want me to remember.”
Scott’s fingers twitched. His eyes roamed over my face, and I knew that look. He was
tempted.
